The Detroit Lions introduced their top pick in this year's NFL draft Friday evening, and the Nebraska defensive tackle explained how he got started playing American football after growing up playing soccer.

"I enjoy just being able to play (football). I grew up not playing football; playing soccer," he explained, "and really turned into a physical guy, and (I) really wanted to be in a contact sport. I got the blessing from my parents, as long as I took care of school, to be able to play the game of football. I've really just grown to love it and continue to love it, and it's something that's really been instilled in me for the last four, five, eight years.

"I stopped playing soccer in the eighth grade – the summer going into my eighth-grade year of middle school. I stopped playing soccer and transferred to football.

"I really had two sets of friends: one in the suburbs, that I played soccer with, and then obviously in the inner city, where I lived. And all of my friends had been begging me to come play football, and I was like, 'I love soccer; I'm just going to play (that).'"

After noticing his propensity for physical play, Suh had a change of heart.

"I decided that I was getting too many unfair calls and red cards," he said, "so I decided to play football that year. So ever since then, I've definitely enjoyed it."

Especially when the 6-foot-4, 307-pounder gets to bring the wood on running backs, like fellow first-round pick Jahvid Best.

"It's fun to kinda beat up on those little guys over there," said Suh, gesturing toward his new teammate.

Everyone in the media had a laugh, but I think I caught a glimpse of some perspiration forming on the forehead of the 5-foot-10, 199-pound Best.